At the start of Chapter Four, Farah says that if she messed with her mother’s books, Comrade Zee would know. Are you the same with your books? Do you also have a sixth sense when someone touches your books?
Do you share Farah’s sentiments on running?
What do you think of the interactions between Farah and her mother since her diagnosis was revealed? Particularly about the scene where Farah was in the bathroom and her mother asked Farah not to leave?
Now that Chatty Airport Guy has made a return, what are your opinions of him?
What do you think of Chatty Airport Guy coming to pick up Farah and her mother? Would you go with him?
At the start of Chapter Five, Farah talks about all the retirees joining and paying for stuff they had no idea about. Can you relate to this with your own parents/grandparents?
We see Zaid and Farah’s relationship progress in Chapter Five. Zaid offers to go on walks with Farah to get her activity levels up. Could you see the two of them as a pair?
It is hard to see Farah’s mother go through these changes and the quick succession of one moment remembering everything and the next not having a clue. Do you admire Farah for staying to look after her mom and not just leaving a caretaker behind to look after her mother?
What do you think of the first date Zaid and Farah went on?
What do you think of the plot twist Zaid drops in Chapter Six? Why do you think Zaid never mentioned his daughter?
What do you think of Zaid calling the two of them processing partners? What would you do if someone called your relationship that?
7 responses to “Why Am I Like This? Day Two”
-
1. Not particularly when they’re touched / moved, but definitely if they’re missing. THAT I definitely notice.
2. 100%. Are people insane to be getting up at the crack of dawn and running to nowhere? I despise exercise and running especially.
3. I felt deeply heartbroken for Farah during these moments, especially since her relationship with her mother is crumbling by the day. I think something must have happened earlier in Farah’s mother’s life to have her react so traumatically to Farah being in the bathroom (i.e. the ‘don’t leave me’ moment.
4. I really like him. I like the fact that he’s naturally helpful and checks in on Farah, helping her with her mother and emotional moments.
5. No, it’s just my parents and they’re tech-savvy enough not to get trapped.
6. Definitely. She’s prone to couch-rotting & depression and he helps her move out of that funk and do something. They’re perfectly balanced.
7. Yes, I do. Especially since she’s not really the type – you can really see how strong the bond between the pair really is and how much she really loves her mom.
8. It was really sweet, the perfect date really. (Except for the bomb he dropped!)
9. I think that it’s insane that he’s never brought up the fact that he has a daughter. There could be so many reasons he didn’t mention her – for example, he didn’t think of Farah as a close enough friend / lasting relationship, so he didn’t mention his daughter or his previous relationship makes things difficult, or he’s actually married and just thought of her as a friend, or he’s not really involved in his daughter’s life
10. What does that even mean? What are they, computers? I would probably laugh, or look confused, or tell them to get away from me (or all three!) -
I dont like people messing with my stuff in general and definitely not my books. I feel like yeah I can know but it depends on like if something looks out of place and so lol
Nope, I think it’s great that people run and be athletic. I wish I was more athletic & ran more coz I do like running. The way it makes you feel free, is nice and welcomed.
Her mother’s condition is deteriorating quite fast. I sympathize with Farah and the fact that this is now her life and I also feel bad for her mum coz from whatever Farah has “told us” her mum seemed very agile,sharp and active. Its not easy being sick or having family to take care of thats sick.
I like him, he has spunk and is definitely extroverted. He could be good for Farah. Super friendly dude.
I think that was very kind,helpful and sweet of him. I wouldn’t honestly coz I’m more of a skeptic and also dont trust people easily. Like especially in this day and age its not wise to.
Lmao yes! I relate but its more on the downloading random suspicious apps or assisting them with technology or tryna teach them but them not getting it.
Definitely! I like him for Farah coz it appears he is bringing her out of her funk. They could be cute.
I do, she is very patient with her mother too which is commendable.
It was a small date but understandable after what happened with Farah’s mum. I like how supportive and accommodating Zaid is. He is such a carefree soul that’s fun and easy to be around. He makes Farah lighten up and not take life so seriously which is cool.
I did not see that one coming eh? Very sus of him to hide such an important aspect of his life. He should have been honest and communicated properly with Farah. She deserved that honesty! And to think I was liking him for her but dude wasn’t being as real as he was pretending to be.
Processing partners?! Like really? Thats so lame. What even does that mean? This stringing along of “processing partners” term is confusing. I’d be confused and annoyed, I’d want more clarity than that.
-
Yup. I’m the same as Farah’s mom when it comes to my books. I share an office space with my sister, and I can always tell when she’s moved one of the books on my shelf, or on one of our shared bookshelves.
I do. As someone who enjoys and advocates for swimming more, I share the same sentiments with Farah about running.
My heart goes out to both of them. Farah is witnessing her mom lose more of herself while her mom is reduced to these states of vulnerability that must be difficult for her. The bathroom and “not my child” moments were definitely difficult to read.
I think he’s very helpful and considerate, and he’s made the stress Farah is dealing with a lot easier with his help. His sense of humour also seems to match Farah’s. If things don’t work out romantically between them, I’m hoping he can at least be a really good friend and positive influence on Farah’s view of herself and where her life is headed.
I personally wouldn’t go with a complete stranger, but if he’d used his connections to get me an appointment with a better doctor, I can see how I would feel obligated to repay that favour. I just think I would’ve done it with coffee instead of putting myself and my vulnerable mother in a potentially dangerous situation like that, but to each her own.
My grandmother was definitely like this with the SMS scams back in the day, and my grandfather can’t even use his smartphone without guided assistance. So I can absolutely relate.
I didn’t think much of him at first but I’m starting to warm up to his presence (mainly because he’s so helpful and has a positive impact on her life right now).
It is really admirable of her, but I also think Farah is mainly adopting the role of her mom’s primary caretaker because not only are they super close, but she might want to be there for all the cognizant moments her mom has left.
It was cute at first but ended on a weird note that had even me confused with this man’s intentions.
It was randomly dropped into the conversation like a bomb, but in a weird way it makes him and Farah compatible because she does the same thing to us readers in her narration: casually dropping the most important bits of information about herself/ the people around her at the most random times. It possibly never came up in conversation, like he said, or (to give him the benefit of the doubt) it’s probably because he was figuring out if he liked Farah enough to give her more insight into what her role would be if things between them progressed even further romantically.
I’ve never come across that answer in my entire life (kudos to the author for making me do a whole double-take). If I received that answer in real life, the person is playing me and keeping their options open (processing which partner is the one out of all their options like this is The Bachelor), or they were so stumped by the bluntness of my “what are we” question that they said the first incorrect thing that popped into their head. In both cases, I’d ask for them to explain themselves, and if I don’t like the answer, I’m moving on to greener pastures.
-
1) I’m exactly the same! I have really bad OCD; where everything is perfectly placed so if someone messes with my books on my shelf I will definitely know.
2) Yes! I’m not the wake-up-at-the-crack-of-dawn-and-exercise type of person. I love slow, calm mornings. I would rather do yoga/meditation than run!
3) I think it is very hard on Farah knowing that she’s the only one able to be there for her mother but also her not wanting to see her mother lose herself like that. I think the onset of dementia is causing old trauma to resurface for Farahs mother. It’s heartbreaking to read!
4) I like him. He’s mature and genuinely caring and helpful.
5) It was kind of him to offer but at the same time weird because they barely know each other. I’m an overly cautious person so no; I would not have gone with him but I would acknowledged his sweet gesture.
6) I work in the telecommunications industry so this is a very common occurrence. My parents are very cautious and tech savvy though and know better than to get caught out on these scams.
7) I can honestly see them being a good pair because he challenges her and that will be very good for her physical and mental health. They also seem very comfortable with each other and there’s no awkwardness.
8) I truly admire Farah for being there for her mother through all this. I can’t even imagine the mental toll it would take to see a parent deteriorate but I applaud her for making sure that she’s there for her mum.
9) It was honestly such a nice date and I was so hopeful but the end of the date set of so many warning bells it actually caught me off guard and questioning everything we know (and don’t know!) about him.
10) I was shocked and annoyed because the way it’s mentioned seems so insignificant but it’s something I feel like he should have brought up sooner. But in saying that he does know that Farah is going through a lot so maybe he didn’t want to add to her stress.
11) At my big age I’ve never heard that term before! I literally said out loud “what the heck is processing partners?!”. If someone called my relationship that I would definitely tell him that we’re now “unprocessed partners” coz what the heck?!
-
I would definitely know if someone touches or rearranges my books
Im quite 50/50 on running. However i do like walking and sports to keep fit
I feel heartbroken for Farah. It’s not easy for her. The lady who became her mum and saved her from a harsh life and to see her in this condition is not easy
That chatty guy seems quite sweet and friendly and very helpful
As much as he is helpful and friendly, i would be a little skeptical about travelling with a random person
definitely. Though id be paying for them ☺️
Zaid is definitely a calm and wise person. Perfect and grounding forr Farah
Hats off to Farah for looking after her mum in these circumstances especially after all her mum did for her
Im still 50/50 about how I feel
Quite random. Maybe he was still trying to figure where this was going before dropping important bits about himself
I’m not really sure I’d like that. You either friends or make it known how you feel and your intentions about her. -
1. Yes! Lol 😆
2. I do. I actually highlighted this part in the book. I just don’t understand people who run, but if they enjoy it, then I love that for them.
3. As someone who experienced what Farah is going through firsthand, my heart breaks for her. Watching someone you love – especially someone who was once so strong and formidable – become so frail and almost childlike because of their dementia/Alzheimer’s is something that cannot be explained in words. It’s painful.
4. He seems really sweet and caring.
5. I am a stupidly trusting person, so I probably would’ve said yes and then have all my family and friends scream at me afterwards about what a bad idea it is to get into a car with a stranger 🙈
6. I actually don’t relate to this part. My parents aren’t old enough to fall into that category and my grandparents (who have now passed) never used their phones for anything other than basic calling and WhatsApp messaging.
7. I totally could! It’s cute seeing how willing and interested he is in her needs and well-being.
8. It seemed perfect at first, but the ending left me a bit uneasy.
9. That’s what I want to know! Not mentioning his daughter COULD be suspicious, but at the same time, they barely know each other (despite all the time they’ve spent together recently). It is also possible that him not mentioning his daughter is nothing to worry about. Only time will tell.
10. I’m not sure what to make of that. It could just be him trying to be silly, but it’s clear that Farah was trying to be serious about their relationship’s status (as she has every right to be!!!), and if that was a joke, it was a clearly misplaced one. And what is he processing? Farah is currently processing her mother’s diagnosis. Is he implying he is processing this with her? I have no idea what this man is thinking. If I were in Farah’s position, I would’ve pushed the issue further. However, Farah’s response is understandable considering her trauma and insecurities. I hope she finds healing. 💔
-
1. yes! Actually, no one must touch my stuff.
2. Yes lol. What is chasing you out of your warm toasty bed in the morning?
3. Must be so distressing witnessing someone who was so bold and strong being in that condition.
4. He’s been very helpful, shame.
5. He didn’t give of strange creepy vibes, but I would still be skeptical about travelling with a stranger.
6. Lol nope. They are stingy and skeptical about tech in general.
7. Definitely.
8. Definitely. Think most people would probably just get a caregiver.
9. It was cute but felt like he knew what he said would change the trajectory of the relationship, so he tried to be non-chalant about it.
10. Maybe he wanted to give the relationship a chance before bringing in something as serious as a child?
11. Absolutely not. Sounds like someone who is running away from something.
Leave a Reply